Within the newly released “Sports Heaven” volume, ESPN Co-Founder and Son Scott Rasmussen remarks, “I think one of the reasons it worked, my father (Bill Rasmussen) and I sparked each other. We had different strengths, different visions, different things we could do.”
Packed with accolades for ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen, the July 2026 publication “Sports Heaven” features Perspectives from the two dozen individuals interviewed for the documentary of the same name, produced by Tenero Productions.
“Sports Heaven” Author ESPN Bill Rasmussen alongside ESPN Historian Producer and Co-Author Mike Soltys, who originally worked for Bill as an unpaid summer intern in 1980, subsequently spending more than 43 years in ESPN’s Corporate Communications division.
“Sports Heaven” Author and ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen with Co-Author and Executive Producer Garrett Z Sutton, who describes Bill as “an entrepreneur at heart, who truly transformed an industry through pure grit, determination and a positive spirit.”
Sports and broadcasting visionary Bill Rasmussen passed on Aug 18, 2026, and is fondly remembered in his final book, “Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN”.
ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen’s fierce determination and belief in success changed the way we all watch television and the way we watch sports today.”— Chris Berman in “Sports Heaven” ForewordBRISTOL, CT, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Often referred to as the “Intentional Optimist,” ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen sadly passed away on August 18, 2026, following a battle with Parkinson’s disease. His final book and documentary project, “Sports Heaven: The Birth ESPN” (July 28, 2026), contains numerous Perspectives that honor this sports icon. Bill not only transformed an industry and culture, but also improved the viewing experience for fans worldwide.
Bill Rasmussen’s latest “Sports Heaven” book, audiobook, and documentary recount the ESPN founding story behind this sports legend’s launch of the first 24/7 all-sports network on September 7, 1979, using satellite technology with his son and Co-Founder Scott Rasmussen.
Despite countless skeptics and hurdles, ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen never accepted defeat, secured Budweiser as the initial major sponsor, obtained $20 million in funding from Getty Oil for satellite costs, and negotiated a contract with the NCAA for basketball coverage.
The title “Sports Heaven” for the book project came from the debut broadcast of ESPN’s SportsCenter. Live from Bristol, Connecticut, Anchor Lee Leonard’s opening words included, "If you’re a fan, what you’ll see in the next minutes, hours and days to follow may convince you you’ve gone to sports heaven.” ESPN Historian, Co-Author, and Producer Mike Soltys recalls, “Bill often quoted this line and many others from the first broadcast in his speeches about the founding of ESPN.”
Inside the newly published “Sports Heaven” book and audiobook, readers will discover Perspectives honoring Bill Rasmussen from the 25 people interviewed for the documentary of the same name by Tenero Productions.
Original SportsCenter anchors Chris Berman, Bob Ley, George Grande, and Greg Wyatt, as well as key figures, praise Bill Rasmussen’s resolve, upbeat character, and entrepreneurial drive—including Scott Rasmussen, Chuck Pagado, Mary Walton, and future ESPN Presidents George Bodenheimer and Jimmy Pitaro.
ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen tributes in “Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN” include:
“His ideas, yes, his enthusiasm, his fierce determination and belief in success changed the way we all watch television and the way we watch sports today.”
– Chris Berman, who wrote the “Sports Heaven” Foreword
“When I think about Bill, if I define him with one word, I would say he’s an optimist.”
– Jimmy Pitaro, Current ESPN Chairman
“If you were around Bill Rasmussen for five minutes, you knew he was intelligent, you knew he had great energy, and you knew he was going to fight for whatever he believed in.”
– George Grande, First SportsCenter Anchor
“Bill is the founder, and yet he was this completely accessible human being that was just so nice to everybody. Always had a smile on his face. Seem to always have a solution to anything that might be a problem.”
– Mary Walton, Original Camera Person
“I think one of the reasons it worked, my father and I sparked each other. We had different strengths, different visions, different things we could do.”
– Scott Rasmussen, ESPN Co-Founder and Son
“He provided all the doubters wrong. People said this will never work. And sure enough, not only has it worked, it’s a special, special success story.”
– Josh Krulewitz, Long-time ESPN Executive
“We really were investing in Bill’s idea, and Bill had a very positive personality and was always positive.”
– George Conner, Getty Oil Executive
“Bill was a salesman…That’s said with admiration and respect. He got you to understand what the product was, what was in it for you.”
– Bob Ley, An Original SportsCenter Anchor
“I think people liked Bill and were rooting for him to make this idea happen. And I think that played a big role in making it happen.”
– George Bodenheimer, Long-time ESPN President
“Bill was the quintessential PR-type person to explain what was happening, and he engaged with people so easily.”
– Rosa Gatti, Long-time ESPN PR Executive
Mike Soltys, ESPN Historian, Producer and Co-Author, first worked for Bill Rasmussen as a free summer intern in 1980. Soltys spent over 43 years in their Communications Department and reflects, “People will find the ESPN origin story remarkable, and it was a thrill to bring it to life. Bill Rasmussen’s idea launched thousands of careers and sparked the sports TV industry’s growth for 50 yr.”
“Sports Heaven” Co-Author and Executive Producer Garrett Z Sutton met Bill while speaking at a Rich Dad conference about asset protection. Together, they conceived the idea for a book, audiobook, and documentary about Bill’s accomplishments. Sutton emphasizes, “Bill Rasmussen was an entrepreneur at heart, who truly transformed an industry through pure grit, determination and a positive spirit. It was a true honor to get to know him, and document his inspiring story.”
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Bill Rasmussen requested that the “Sports Heaven” team include his support for the APDA – American Parkinson Disease Association in his “Sports Heaven” film and book. Anyone can make a donation in Bill Rasmussen’s memory here:
https://support.apdaparkinson.org/
WHERE TO GET THE BOOK
Available now on Amazon:
“Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN” (SuccessDNA, July 28, 2026)
https://a.co/d/07PW9nJZ
WHERE TO GET THE AUDIOBOOK
“Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN” Audiobook (April 6, 2026)
Features interviews with 20 different voices behind this ESPN story.
https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Sports-Heaven-Birth-ESPN/dp/B0G7L9KXNT/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTARY TRAILER
Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00dOvEOVGms
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In Memory of Bill Rasmussen
